What is Digital Health and Wellness?
There are many issues regarding our health that we must think about while using computers. The most significant issue that affects most people is computer addiction. Some other issues have to do with our posture or eye sight. Let's take a few minutes to learn a little bit about this topic of Digital Health and Wellness.
Task 1: How is your posture while using the computer? Take a look at this short video and see if you can identify any problems with your own posture. After watching the video, try sitting at your computer in a way the video suggests. Have your teacher check your posture for this activity.
Task 2: Watch this short video about Internet Addiction.
Task 3: Read through these symptoms of Internet addiction by James Fearing Ph.D.
Task 4: Write a blog entry explaining your average computer use and any changes you might make in regards to your posture, time spent on the computer or anything else that could benefit your Digital Health and Wellness. Include one link to a website that would give your readers more information about Digital Health and Wellness. (50-100 words, please)
Task 1: How is your posture while using the computer? Take a look at this short video and see if you can identify any problems with your own posture. After watching the video, try sitting at your computer in a way the video suggests. Have your teacher check your posture for this activity.
Task 2: Watch this short video about Internet Addiction.
Task 3: Read through these symptoms of Internet addiction by James Fearing Ph.D.
- A demonstrated "loss of control" when trying to stop or limit the amount of time on the computer. (Breaking promises to self or others. Promising to quit or cut down and not being able to do so)
- Being dishonest or minimizing the extent of the time you stay on the computer, or covering up or being dishonest about what activities you participate in when on the computer.
- Negative consequences experienced by the computer user or his/her friends or family as a direct result of time or activities spent on the computer.
- Participation in high risk or normally unacceptable behaviors when using the computer. Compromising your morals and values based on the opportunity to remain anonymous and protected on the computer. (a good test for this is to ask yourself if your spouse, partner or family would approve of what you were doing on the computer)
- An overdeveloped sense of importance for the computer in ones life. Defending your right to use the computer as much as desired, regardless of the fact that people in your life are feeling left out and neglected. (denial of the problem and justification; not being able to hear or feel what the other people are saying regarding your computer behavior)
- Mixed feelings of euphoria (a "rush"), combined with feelings of guilt brought on by either the inordinate amount of time spent on the computer or the abnormal behavior acted out while using the computer.
- Feelings of depression or anxiety when something or someone shortens your time or interrupts your plans to use the computer.
- Preoccupation with the computer and computer activities when you are not using the computer (thinking about the computer and its activities when doing something else; i.e. having a family dinner, working on project deadline etc.)
- Finding yourself using the computer at times when you are feeling uncomfortable, irritated, or sad about something happening in your life. ( feeling uncomfortable in your relationship, so you will self medicate and "hide out" on the computer) Using time on the computer to become externally focused outside yourself as a way to avoid facing what is happening in your life, and avoiding feeling the appropriate feelings inside yourself. (self medicating)
- Experiencing financial concerns or problems in your life as a result of money being spent on computer hardware, computer on-line charges, or any other costs associated with computers. (Spending money on computer related items which should have been allocated to other normal living expenses)
Task 4: Write a blog entry explaining your average computer use and any changes you might make in regards to your posture, time spent on the computer or anything else that could benefit your Digital Health and Wellness. Include one link to a website that would give your readers more information about Digital Health and Wellness. (50-100 words, please)